Senior pet care, euthanasia and cremation in Spain

Key rules

• Check-ups: Senior pets should see the vet every 6 months.
• Who can euthanise: Only a vet can carry out euthanasia, and you can usually stay with your pet.
• Body disposal: The body must go through an authorised cremation company or pet cemetery, never household waste.
• Home burial: Burial in your garden is generally not allowed, so ask your town hall and region first.
• Ashes: Only individual cremation returns your pet's ashes.

Senior care: start with a check-up every 6 months

Vets usually treat cats as senior from about 7 to 10 years and dogs from about 7 years. Giant breeds count as senior earlier, at about 5 to 6. Small breeds count later, at about 9 to 10.

From then on, book a check-up every 6 months. Expect a physical exam, weight and body condition, blood and urine tests (kidney, liver, thyroid, glucose), and heart and eye checks. For cats, ask for a blood pressure check too.

Ask your vet about three more things:

• Teeth. A dental exam, and a cleaning under anaesthesia if needed.
• Joints. Pain assessment, weight control, and options such as anti-inflammatories, joint supplements and gentle exercise.
• Routine care. Vaccines, parasite control and diet are adapted to your pet's age.

Deciding when it is time

Make this decision with your treating vet. They can also explain palliative care if your pet is chronically ill.

Vets often use a quality-of-life scale. One common choice is the HHHHHMM scale: Hurt, Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene, Happiness, Mobility, and More good days than bad. On this scale a total below about 35 out of 70 means poor quality of life. A daily diary of good and bad days also helps.

Warning signs include:

• pain that cannot be controlled
• not eating or drinking
• repeated vomiting or difficulty breathing
• incontinence with loss of dignity
• being unable to move
• losing interest in usual activities

How euthanasia works

Only a vet can carry out euthanasia in Spain. It usually has two steps: sedation, then an intravenous overdose of anaesthetic. You sign a consent form. You can usually stay with your pet.

It can be done at the clinic. Many vets and specialist services also offer home visits in cities. In 2025, clinic prices were typically 50 to 150 euros, depending on weight. Home visits were typically 150 to 300 euros. Prices vary by region and clinic, so ask for a written quote. Cremation is charged separately.

What happens to the body

A dead pet counts as an animal by-product and must go by an authorised route. Leaving the body anywhere, or putting it in household waste, is prohibited. Your vet can usually arrange collection through an authorised company.

Your options:

• Collective cremation. The cheapest option, and no ashes are returned. In 2025 it typically cost 40 to 100 euros for small to medium pets and up to about 150 euros for large dogs.
• Individual cremation. Ashes come back to you in an urn. In 2025 it typically cost 100 to 200 euros for cats and animals under 10 kg, 150 to 250 euros for medium dogs, and 200 to 400 euros for large dogs. Some companies also offer private cremation with you present.
• Authorised pet cemetery.

Urns, home collection and memorial items cost extra.

Burial in your garden is generally not allowed. Some regions allow small pets to be buried on private land in limited cases, and rules differ by region and town. Ask your town hall and regional government before you consider it.

Afterwards

Tell the microchip registry that your pet has died. The vet updates the record, but you should still notify the registry. The checklist and questions below cover the practical steps.

Checklist

• Book a senior check-up with your vet every 6 months, including blood and urine tests, and heart and eye checks.

• Ask your vet to check your pet's teeth and say whether a dental cleaning under anaesthesia is needed.

• Ask your vet about joint pain, weight control and gentle exercise, and adapt vaccines, parasite control and diet to your pet's age.

• Talk with your treating vet about quality of life and palliative care if your pet is chronically ill.

• Ask the vet for a quote covering euthanasia, home visit if wanted, and cremation, which is charged separately.

• Choose collective cremation, individual cremation with ashes returned, or an authorised pet cemetery, and ask your vet to arrange collection.

• Notify the microchip registry of your pet's death.

Frequently asked questions

Can I stay with my pet during euthanasia in Spain?

Yes, you can usually stay with your pet, and you sign a consent form first. The vet sedates the animal, then gives an intravenous overdose of anaesthetic.

How much does pet euthanasia cost in Spain?

Euthanasia costs about 50 to 150 euros at a clinic, depending on your pet's weight, and about 150 to 300 euros at home. Cremation is charged separately, so ask for both prices in the quote.

Can I bury my pet in my garden in Spain?

No, home burial is generally not allowed, though some regions allow small pets on private land in limited cases. Rules vary by region and town, so ask your town hall. Never leave the body or put it in household waste.

Do I get my pet's ashes back after cremation?

Only with individual cremation, where the ashes come back in an urn. Collective cremation is the cheapest, but no ashes are returned.

What should I do with my pet's microchip after it dies?

Tell the registry about the death. Your vet updates the microchip database record, but you should still notify the registry yourself.